Liquid level control valve



Sept. 5, 1933. M. H SAVAGE 1,926,016

LIQUID LEVEL CONTROL VALVE Filed Oct. 5, 1931 Miles H. Savage,

Patented Sept. 5, 1933 UNETED srAr s ATENT OFFICE Application October 5, 1931.

9 Claims.

My invention consists in new and useful improvements in a liquid level control valve and has for its object to provide a device of this character which is automatically operated by the liquid being controlled, its structure being such as to include a minimum number of working parts, yet possessing extreme sensitiveness of operation.

In designing this liquid level control valve I have eliminated the necessity of fioats, fulcrums,

levers and joints, all of which are subject to wear and consequently inaccurate performance, and in their stead I have constructed a valve utilizing a single moving element in the form of a sliding sleeve, all other elements remaining stationary. Obviously, a device of this character is capable of very sensitive operation and accurate performance and the possibility of becoming out of order, with the resultant shutting down of the equipment for repairs is reduced to a minimum.

With the above and other objects in view which will appear as the description proceeds, my invention consists in the novel features herein set forth, illustrated in the accompanying drawing, and more particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

Referring to the drawing in which numerals of like character designate similar parts throughout both views,

Fig. 1 is a vertical sectional View of my improved valve installed on a tank, the latter being only partially illustrated and broken away, and

Fig. 2 is an enlarged detail of the valve per se in closed position.

In the drawing, 1 represents a conventional liquid receptacle or tank of any description, for example, an oil and gas separator tank, wherein it is desired to automatically maintain the level of the liquid at substantially a predetermined height in said tank, under conditions where the volume of the liquid entering the tank is constantly changing from time to time. In one wall of the tank 1 is the usual flanged outlet 2, to which is secured the flanged coupling 3 of the valve body 4.

The valve body 4 is preferably substantially cylindrical in shape, being reduced and flanged at each end as at 3 and 5 to facilitate its connection to the tank outlet 2 and discharge flow line 6 respectively. The intermediate portion of the valve body forms an annular chamber '7, the inner walls of which are formed by inward cylindrical extensions 8 and 9 from the reduced ends 3 and 5 respectively. The inner extremity of the extension 8 opens into the interior 10 of the valve body, while the inner extremity of the extension 9 is closed by an end wall 11, its side walls however Serial No. 567,071

being apertured or ported as at 12 whereby the interior of the extension 9 and reduced discharge end 5 may be placed in communication with the chamber 7 Within the chamber '7 and slidably embracing and bridging the cylindrical extensions 8 and 9, I provide a sleeve valve 13 which completes the inner annular wall of the chamber 7, said sleeve being provided with a plurality of radial ports 14 whereby the interior 10 of the valve is placed in communication with the surrounding chamber 7. 15 represents an annular flange which is preferably formed integral with the sleeve 13 and extends entirely across the annular chamber 7 being provided with a peripheral rim or guide 15 which snugly engages the inner wall of the chamber '7, said flange and rim separating said chamber into two compartments A and B, and serving as a plunger for moving the sleeve 13 longitudinally on the extensions 8 and 9 as hereinafter set forth.

The compartment A of the chamber '7 is in constant communication with a superposed reservoir 16, through the medium of a conduit 17, the upper portion of said reservoir in turn being in communication with the upper or gas containing portion of tank 1 through the medium of conduit 18. The lower portion of the compartment A is placed in communication with the tank outlet 2 and valve connection 3 by means of a conduit 19, the latter having interposed therein an intermediate valve 20 and a drain valve 21, whereby said chamber and in turn the reservoir 16, may be initially brought up to the desired level by introducing liquid from the tank 1 through conduit 19 and valve 20, said chamber and reservoir being adapted tobe drained or the level lowered through drain cock 21.

It will be noted that the compartment A is in constant communication with the reservoir 16 and subject to the pressure incident to the column of fluid therein, while the compartment B is in communication with the lower portion of the tank 1 and subject to the pressure of the liquid in said tank. The flange 15 is consequently responsive to any variance between these two pressures, and in turn actuates the sleeve valve 13 to equalize said pressures.

Having thus described the construction and relative location of the various elements of my improved liquid level control valve, its operation is as follows:-

Assuming that the liquid in the reservoir 16 has been brought up to the proper predetermined level to maintain the level of the liquid inthe tank 1 substantially constantly at X. Now, under this condition, the pressure of the fluid from the tank upon the face of the flange in compartment B of chamber '7, and the pressure or the fluid from the reservoir 16 upon the opposite face of the flange 15, in compartment A, will be substantially equalized and the sleeve 13 will be moved to a positionwhere it will partially close the ports 12 in the outlet extension 9, the position of said sleeve being such as to permit a constant flow through the outlet to maintain a level in the tank 1 substantially equal to the level in the reservoir 16.

In the event of an increase in volume of the liquid entering the tank, causing a sudden rise of the level to the point Y, the weight of the fluid in the tank, seeking its level in the communicating reservoir 16, will cause a greater pressure to be exerted in compartment B of chamber '7 than in compartment A, with the result that the plung er of flange 15 is forced to the left to the position shown in Fig. 1, thus removing the sleeve 13 from the ports 12 and permitting an increased discharge from the tank through the outlet. As the liquid level again approaches the point X, the pressures in the compartments A and B are again equalized and the ports 12 are throttled.

Now, on the other hand, we will assume that the level in tank 1 has fallen below X, to a point Z. In this instance, the liquid in the reservoir 16 will seek its level and in so doing creates an increasedpressure in compartment A over that in compartment 3 and causes the piston or flange 15 to slide' the sleeve 13' to the right, (Fig. 2) shutting off the outlet ports 12 until such time asthe level has built up in the tank 1 to the required height. Thus when the liquid levels are substantially equal in the tank and reservoir, the pressures in the compartments A and B are equal, but with an increase in pressure in compartment A, the valve closes to permit replenishing of the liquid in the tank, and with an increase in pressure in compartment B, the valve is open to permit an increaseddischarge from the tank.

' It will be noted that the controlling liquid in reservoir 16, conduit 17 andcompartment A is constant and exerts an even and continuous pressure on the flange 15, whether the valve ports '12are closed or open. It will thus be seen that the reservoir 16 must contain sufficient liquid to supply compartment A as it empties or fills due to the movement of thefla nge and sleeve 13 which increases and decreases its'capacity;

The gas pressure maintained in tank 1 above the liquid level is immaterial as this same pressure is exerted upon the liquid in the reservoir 16 through the medium of conduit 18, thus equalizing the gas pressure backing up the liquid on either side of the sliding flange 15.

From the foregoing it is believed that the construction and advantages of' my improved structure may be readily understood by those skilled in the art without further description, it being borne in mind that numerous changes may be made in the details disclosed without departsaid outlet port.

bers being in communication with said reservoir, the other of said chambers being in communica-- tion with the liquid containing portion of said receptacle, a valve member operatively connected to and actuated by the movement of said partition for opening and closing said outlet opening, whereby an overbalancing pressure in either of said chambers will cause the movement of said partition and in turn the operation of said valve, and means for initially regulating the liquid level in said reservoir.

2. In combination with a liquid receptacle, a

liquid level control valve comprising a valve body having inlet and outlet openings, the interior of said body being divided into two compartments by a movable partition, a liquid reservoir in communication with oneof said compartments and with said receptacle above the liquid level in the latter, the other of said compartments being in communication with the liquid containing portion of said receptacle, a valve member operatively connected to and actuated by the movement of said partition for opening and closing said outlet opening, whereby an overbalancing pressure in either of said compartments will cause the movement of said partition and in turn the operation of said valve, and means for placing said reservoir in communication with the liquid containing portion of said receptacle,

whereby said reservoir may be filled with liquid from said receptacle.

3. In combination with a liquid receptacle, a liquid level control valve comprising a valve body having inlet and outlet openings, an annular chamber extending entirely around the interior of said valve body, said chamber being divided into two compartments by a slidable partition, a liquid reservoir in communication with one of said compartments an equalizing conduit placing said reservoir in communication with said receptacle above the liquid level therein, the other of said compartments being in communication with the liquid containing portion of said receptacle, and a valve member slidably mounted in said chamber and adapted to be actuated by the movement of said partition for opening and closing said outlet opening, whereby an overbalancing pressure in either of said compartments will cause the movement of compartments by a movable partition, a sleeve valve fastened to said partition and movable therewith, said sleeve valve slidably encircling the adjacent ends of said inwardly extending portions of the conduit, a liquid reservoir in communication withone of said compartments, the other of said compartments being in communication with the liquid containing portion of said receptacle, whereby an overbalancing pressure in either of said compartments will cause the movement of said partition and in turn the operation of said sleeve valve to open and close 5. A valve comprising a body portion, a conduit extending into and terminating within said body portion,

an annular chamber formed around the inwardly extending portion of said conduit, a sleeve valve slidably embracing said portion of the conduit, a plunger in said chamber operatively connected to said sleeve valve, a discharge conduit leading from said chamber, said chamber being in communication with a separate source of pressure on either side of said plunger, whereby an overbalancing pressure on either side of said plunger will cause the opening or closing of said valve.

6. In combination with a liquid receptacle, liquid level control apparatus comprising a constant confined column or liquid, the surface of which is exposed to the pressure existing in the receptacle above the liquid level therein, a valve body connected to said receptacle and having inlet and outlet openings, two chambers in said valve body separated by a slidable partition, a valve member actuated by the movement of said partition for opening and closing said outlet opening, one of said chambers being in communication with said column of liquid, and the other of said chambers being in communication with the liquid containing portion of said receptacle.

7.111 combination with a liquid receptacle, liquid level control apparatus comprising a reservoir containing a constant confined column of liquid, the upper portion of said reservoir being in communication with the upper portion of said receptacle above the liquid level therein, whereby the pressures existing above the liquid in said receptacle and reservoir are equalized, an outlet conduit leading from the lower portion of said receptacle, a valve body in said conduit, two chambers in valve body separated by a slidable partition, a valve member actuated by the movement of said partition for controlling the flow of liquid through said discharge conduit,

one of said chambers being in communication with the lower portion of said reservoir, and the other of said chambers being in communication with the liquid containing portion of said receptacle, whereby an overbalancing pressure in either of said chambers, resulting from a difierence in the liquid levels of the receptacle and reservoir, will cause the movement of said partition and in turn the operation of said valve to equalize said liquid levels.

8. In combination with a liquid receptacle, liquid level control apparatus comprising an outlet conduit leading from said receptacle and terminating within a cylindrical housing, a second conduit in substantial alignment with said first named conduit and terminating within said cylindrical housing from the opposite end, the inner end of the last named conduit being closed and spaced apart from the adjacent end of said first named conduit, an outlet port in the periphery of said conduit, a sleeve slidably embracing the adjacent ends of said conduits and provided with a radial port, an annular flange carried by said sleeve and dividing said chamber into two compartments, one of said compartments embracing the ports in said sleeve and second conduit, a constant confined column of liquid in communication with the other of said compartments, the surface of said columnbeing exposed to the pressure existing in said receptacle, whereby an overbalancing pressure in either of said compartments, caused by a change in the level of the respective communicating liquids, will effect the movement of said flange and in turn the operation of said sleeve to close or open the outlet port.

9. Apparatus as claimed in claim 8 wherein said first named compartment serves as a communicating means between said two conduits.

MILES I-I. SAVAGE. 

